The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has issued a 21-day strike notice, citing dire working conditions, delayed salaries, and unfulfilled agreements by both the national and county governments. This comes as healthcare workers, particularly junior doctors, continue to face immense hardships, including long hours, inadequate insurance coverage, and deteriorating workplace morale.
Speaking during a press conference, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah highlighted the tragic loss of five doctors over the past two months, attributing their deaths to work-related stress and lack of proper support systems. “Most of these colleagues have been junior doctors, which deepens the pain for medical workers serving the public under these harsh conditions,” he said.
The union decried the worsening state of public healthcare, citing inadequate medical supplies and a shrinking, overworked workforce. Dr. Atellah lamented the government’s failure to honor collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), court orders, and prior commitments. “We are tired of the rhetoric of goodwill when the government is in contempt of court orders that validated our CBA on remuneration for interns,” he stated.
The union expressed particular outrage over a recent reduction in intern wages by 70 percent, an unprecedented move that Dr. Atellah described as a severe blow to young doctors. “This situation is unheard of, not just in Kenya but globally,” he added.
The strike notice follows a special delegate meeting held on November 30, during which the union’s National Advisory Council unanimously approved industrial action. KMPDU has set December 22 as the commencement date for the strike if the government fails to meet their demands, including payment of arrears to doctors and registrars across the country.
Dr. Atellah emphasized that the strike could still be averted if the government demonstrates a commitment to addressing the issues. “We know this strike can be prevented by a responsible government that cares about its people,” he said.
The looming industrial action raises concerns about the state of Kenya’s healthcare system, which has been grappling with chronic underfunding and poor management. As the countdown begins, Kenyans brace for potential disruptions in medical services during the holiday season, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the welfare of healthcare workers and patients alike.